Noise and vibration isolating means for sewing machines



NOV. 16, 1954 1 G, ATTWOOD 2,694,375

NOISE AND VIBRATION ISOLATING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, 1954 J. G. ATTwooD 2,694,375

NOISE AND VIBRATION ISOLATING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed April 2,1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

EN TOR.

BY JOHN G. ATTWOOD ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, 1954 J. G. ATTWOOD 2,694,375

NOISE AND VIBRATION ISOLATING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES ngi IN V EN TOR.JOHVN G. ATTWOOD ATTORNEY.

NOV 15, 1954 J. G. ATTwooD NOISE AND VIBRATION ISOLATING MEANS FORSEWING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 2. 1951 INVEN TOR. JOHN G.ATTWOOD ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, 1954 J. G. AT1-woon 2,694,375

NOISE AND VIBRTION ISOLATING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed April 2,1951 7 SheebS-Sheeb 5 Y JNVENToR.

JOHN G. ATTwooD ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, 1954 J. G. ATTWOCD 2,694,375

NOISE AND VIBRATION ISOLATING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES INVENTOR.

JOHN G. ATTWOOD ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, 1954 J. G. ATTwooo 2,694,375

NOISE AND VIBRATION ISOLATING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed April 2,1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 IIBQ "-IZO y /'f/ l o M A :z 'y if lU a ,//S

\ f JNVENTOR.

g JOHN GATTWOOD United States Patent() NOISE AND VIBRATION ISOLATINGMEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES John G. Attwood, Oak Park, Ill., assignor toUnion Special Machine Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication April 2, 1951, Serial No. 218,815

18 Claims. (Cl. 112-260) This invention relates to sewing machines ofthe industrial type intended for operation at high speeds. It relatesmore particularly to the mounting and construction of these machines insuch a way that noise and vibration are reduced to a minimum.

It has been found that objectionable noise and vibration, incident tohigh speed operation of sewing machines, are principally present in thecloth plate, in the main drive shaft and in the connections between thelatter and certain of the driven parts. These diliculties areparticularly encountered in machines having a base, a vertical standardand an overhanging arm and having a main, power receiving drive shaft inthe overhanging arm which is connected through means within the standardwith a rotary shaft in the base. When gearing is provided in thevertical standard for this purpose it has been found to be responsiblefor a substantial amount of noise and vibration due to the diculty ofeliminating play or back lash. The left-hand bearing for the upper driveshaft, adjacent the needle head of the machine, has also been found todevelop a substantial amount of noise and vibration, particularly as thebearing begins to wear or when it is not thoroughly lubricated. Inpractically all machines the cloth plate is a primary source ofobjectionable noise and vibration. In addition to the annoyance causedby any type of vibration, that imparted to the cloth plate isobjectionable because it is transmitted to the hands of the operator andfrequently interferes with the proper manipulation of the work. Otherparts of all sewing machines are subject to vibration and contribute tothe creation of noise but it has been found that those indicated areresponsible for the most objectionable noises and vibrations.

A peculiarity of noises is that their effect is not additive. Thus ifthree separate sources of noise in a machine should each create a noisepower level of x decibels the combined noise of the three sources wouldnot be 3x decibels but merely about x-j-S decibels. Therefore, theelimination of noise from only one of the sources, or even two, wouldnot materially reduce the noise created by the machine. Of course, someadvantage is gained by eliminating or reducing or absorbing vibrationsfrom any source, since almost any vibration is objectionable for reasonsother than the noise which it creates. This, for example, is indicatedabove in reference to the cloth plate.

One difficulty in the way of eliminating or absorbing vibrationsnormally delivered to the cloth plate is that the latter is so lightthat any yieldable, resilient means interposed in the connectionsbetween the cloth plate and the machine frame would need to be soreadily flexed or compressed that it would yield objectionably inresponse to any added load, such as the weight or pressure of the handof the operator.

A primary object of the present invention has been to isolate the clothplate of a sewing machine effectively from the frame of the machine insuch a way as to substantially eliminate, or at least greatly reduce,vibration of tllie cloth plate without producing other objectionableresu ts.

Another object has been to so construct a sewing machine, capable ofhigh speed operation, that vibration is eliminated or greatly reduced inconnection with all of the parts principally responsible for thecreation of noise. Toward this end the invention contemplates theprovision of various expedients capable of minimizing the vibration ofcertain important parts of the machine, such as the cloth plate and themain drive shaft, and capable of eliminating certain causes ofvibration, such as the ordinary gearing commonly provided between upperand lower rotary drive shafts.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear fromthe detailed description of certain illustrative forms of the same whichwill now be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. l is a View partly in front elevation and partly in verticalsection of a sewing machine embodying the in'- vention, a portion of thetable top in Whichvthe machine is mounted being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a detail view in axial section through a bearing sleeveembodied in the machine;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View of the machine, as seen from the leftin Fig. 1, with the cover plate for the needle head removed;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the machine, with portions broken awayor shown in horizontal section and with certain bottom plates removed;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of the lower portion ofthe machine, taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the machine and a portion of the table onwhich it is mounted, the major portion of the overhanging arm beingbroken away;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the base portion of the frame castingand a part of the vertical standard;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cloth plate of the machineand certain of the supporting means therefor, a portion of the clothplate being broken away;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the axis of the lowerdrive shaft, showing a portion of a modified form of frame adjacent thelower end of the vertical standard;

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the right end of a frameembodying a further modification, the cloth plate and certain vibrationabsorbing means being shown in section;

Fig. 1l is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 11-11 ofFig. l0;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view through the left end of the base ofa further modied form of frame, and

Fig. 13 is a detail view, in end elevation, of a portion of thestructure shown in Fig. l2.

For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown as applied toa lockstitch sewing machine of the type disclosed in the patent toChristensen et al. No. 2,113,572, granted April 12, 1938. The workfeeding mechanism, however, is constructed and arranged like thatdisclosed in the patent to Sauer et al. No. 2,035,508, granted March 31,1936.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrative machine comprises a framehaving a base portion 10, a vertical standard 11 extending upwardly fromthe right end of the base, an overhanging arm 12 projecting laterallyfrom the top of the vertical standard, and a needle head 13 at the outerend of the overhanging arm. A main drive shaft 14 extends longitudinallyof the overhanging arm and is journaled adjacent its left end in abearing sleeve 15, shown in detail in Fig. 2. This sleeve has a portion15a of slightly enlarged outside diameter having a press iit in anopening extending through a wall between the needle head and theoverhanging arm. A slight clearance is provided between the innersurface 15b and the surface of the shaft. The latter has a close bearingfit within a reduced portion 15e of the sleeve. This portion of thesleeve has a clearance in relation to the opening in the wall. Thearrangement is such that the sleeve may iiex to a limited extent inresponse to vibrations of the shaft and these vibrations are absorbed ordampened. Smaller clearance is permitted between the shaft and thebearing surface of the portion 15C than would be required with aconventional bearing sleeve with the result that a lubricant lm may bemore eiectively retained.

Adjacent its right end of the shaft 14 is journaled in a bushing 16extending through the end wall of the frame. This bushing may, ifdesired, be of the same construction as sleeve 15, but this is notessential since the vibrations at the right end of the shaft aresubstantially less than those at the left end. On the outer end of theshaft there is secured a combined handwheel and pulley 17 through whichpower may be supplied to the shaft. A pulley 18 secured to the shaftadjacent the bushing 16 is connected by a belt 19 with a pulley 2t)secured to a lower rotary drive shaft 21. Pulleys 18 and 2t) areprovided with laterally extending grooves adapted to cooperate withclips or ribs or projections on the belt to insure a positive drivingconnection between the two shafts. Shaft 21 is journaled adjacent itsright end in a bearing sleeve 22 and and is journaled toward its leftend in bushings 23, 24 and 25 (Fig. 4) carried by portions of the baseof the frame.

The upper main drive shaft 14 extends into the needle head and carriesat its left end a crank member 26 (Figs. l and 3) which is pivotallyconnected with one end of a link 27. The opposite end of this link ispivotally connected with a pin 28 projecting from a block secured to aneedle bar 29. The latter is mounted for vertical reciprocation inbushings 30 and 31 carried by the needle head. At its lower end theneedle bar carries a needle 32 which, upon reciprocation of the needlebar, passes downwartny tnrougn me work.

Cooperating with the needle beneath the work, to form lock stitches, isa rotary hook comprising a rotary component 33 and a stationary bobbinholder 34 (Figs. 3 and 4). The rotary component is secured to the outerend of a shaft 35 journaled in a bearing sleeve 36 mounted in the baseof the frame. Adjacent its inner end the shaft 35 carries a pinion 37which meshes with a gear 33 on the shaft 21. The arrangement is suchthat for each revolution of the shaft 21 the shaft 35 is given tworevolutions.

For advancing the work past the stitching point a fourmotion feed dog 39(Fig. 3) is provided. This is secured by a screw 40 to the forward endof a feed bar 41 which is rockably mounted, by means of a shaft or pin42, on a feed rocker 43. The latter is rockably mounted on a fixed shaft44 suitably mounted in the base of the frame. Pivotally connected withthe feed rocker 43 is a socket member 45 (Fig. 4) forming part of atelescoping pitman. The other member of this pitman is a rod 46 slidablewithin the socket and integrally connected with a strap 47 surroundingan eccentric on the shaft 21. For controlling the movements of thesocket member 45 and determining the extent of rocking movementsimparted thereby to the feed rocker 43, there is provided a link 48having one end pivotally connected with the socket member adjacent itsfree end and having its other end pivotally connected with an arm 49secured to a shaft 50. The latter may be rocked to any extent desired,and thereby vary the position of arm 49, by turning a small thumb wheel51 projecting forwardly from the vertical standard of the frame. Forfurther details as to the construction and operation of this mechanism,reference may be had to the Sauer et al. patent mentioned above. Thefeed dog is lifted and lowered, into and out of engagement with thework, by means of a downwardly extending arm 52, integral with the feedbar 41, which is pivotally connected with the lower end of a pitman 53having a strap at its upper end surrounding an eccentric or crankelement on the end of the shaft 21. A presser foot 54 yieldingly urgesthe work against the feed dog, as the latter passes upwardly through thethroat plate, to assist in the feeding action. This presser foot issecured to the lower end of a presser bar 55 mounted for verticalsliding movement in the needle head. It is urged downwardly by a spring56 which bears at its lower end against a block 57 secured to thepresser bar and at its upper end against the bottom of a screw threadedsleeve 5S. Rotation of the latter provides for adjustment of the tensionof the spring. The presser bar may be lifted, whenever desired, to raisethe presser foot from the work and facilitate the introduction andremoval of work. This is accomplished by means of a collar 59 slidablymounted on the presser bar. Any suitable means may be provided forlifting the collar 59 at the will of the operator. Such means may, forexample, be similar to that disclosed in the patent to Smith No.2,502,350, granted March 28, 1950. It may comprise a link 60 connectedat one end with the collar and at its other end with an arm 61 which iscarried upwardly upon the downward rocking movement of a pin 62connected with a rod 63, the latter, in turn, being` connected with afoot treadle or knee press. A manually operated cam lever 64 may also beprovided for lifting the presser bar. The cam portion of this levercooperates with an arm 59a extending rearwardly from the collar 59.

The machine is mounted in a table top 65 having a well or opening 66adapted to receive the base of the frame with a small clearancecompletely around the same. It also receives a cloth plate 67 which isconnected in a manner to be explained, with the work supporting baseportion of the frame. A slight clearance is also provided at all pointsbetween the edge of the cloth plate and the wall of the opening 66 butthis is less than the clearance between the frame and said wall and isof such character as not to interfere with the proper handling of thework. The arrangement is such that the upper surface of the cloth plateis flush with the top surface of the table. Diagonally disposed shelfmembers 68 (Fig. 6) extend across the corners of the opening adjacentthe left end of the machine frame and these serve to support the leftend of the cloth plate by direct engagement therewith. Similar shelves69 are provided across the corners at the right end of the machineframe. These serve to support either the frame or the cloth plate, inthe manner to be explained, depending upon which of the severalembodiments of the invention disclosed herein is adopted. The front edgeof the cloth plate is tapered slightly adjacent its left end from asuitable point, such as that indicated at 70. This permits the frame ofthe machine and the cloth plate to skew slightly within the opening 66as power is supplied to the sewing machine, but it insures that any suchskewing will take place about an axis in the region of the verticalstandard. When the machine skews, that portion of the edge of the clothplate between the point 70 and the commencement of the curvature at thefront left corner of the plate will engage the vertical wall of theopening 66. This occurs before any part of the frame proper of themachine engages the table. As best indicated in Fig. 5, the cloth plateextends slightly beyond the front and rear edges of the frame and asshown in Fig. 4 it extends to the left slightly beyond the frame. Arearwardly extending hook or claw 71, integral with the cloth plate, isarranged to be slipped over a hinge pin carried by a disc 72 secured tothe table top. Similarly, a hook or claw 73 integral with the base ofthe frame of the machine, in the region of the vertical standard, isarranged to be slipped over hinge pin carried by a disc 74 secured tothe table top. This arrangement permits the machine to be tilted back,in a manner well known, to expose the parts in the base. However, itshould be observed that the hook 73 is normally held spaced from itshinge pin by the manner in which the machine is mounted on the table;the rear finger of the hook 71 may be brought into engagement with itshinge pin upon skewing of the sewing machine in the manner explained,but due to the proximity to the hook 73 of the axis bout which suchskewing takes place, no part of this hook will be forced into contactwith its pin. This is important since it insures against transmission ofvibrations from the frame to the cloth plate through the table.

As above mentioned, the right end of the machine frame is supported bythe shelves 69 which are formed some distance below the upper surface ofthe table top. To isolate the vibrations of the machine frame from thetable at these supporting shelves, suitable vibration absorbing membersor isolators 75 (Figs. 6 and 9) are secured to the corners of the frameby countersunk screws 76. These isolators may be formed of any suitablevibration absorbing material, such as cork, felt, rubber, or the like.The arrangement is such that the lower face of each isolator rests uponthe shelf 69 and any vibrations in the machine frame are absorbed andare not transmitted to the table top. As best shown in Fig. 6, thecorners of the well or opening in the table top are suitably formed toreceive the members 75 and to retain the machine frame in predeterminedand substantially fixed relation to the table top. They serve to holdthe hook 73 out of engagement with its hinge pin when the machine is inits operating position. However, when the machine is tilted backwardlythe hook comes into engagement with and pivots about the hinge pin.

As will be seen from the foregoing, the cloth plate of the machine issupported from the table directly at the left end, while the frame ofthe machine is supported from the table through the isolating means atthe right end. Suitable vibration isolating connections are providedbetween the cloth plate and the frame of the machine at other points.Thus, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 8, a downwardly extending bracket 77is provided adjacent the right end of the forward edge of the clothplate. This bracket has a screw threaded opening which receives thethreaded end of a screw stud 78. The latter is pressed into a smallcylinder 79 which is retained in any suitable way within an opening 80in the vertically disposed forward wall 81 of the base of the frame.Member 79 may be formed of natural or synthetic rubber or other suitablevibration absorbing material having the characteristics of yieldability,resilience, elasticity, and the like and capable of preventing thetransmission of vibrations between the connected parts. A washer 78a isprovided between the head of the screw 78 and the cooperating surface onthe member 79.

A vibration absorbing connection is also provided between the right rearcorner of the cloth plate and the adjacent vertical wall of the machineframe. For this purpose an L-shaped bracket 82 is secured by screws 83to the wall 84 of the machine frame. The arrangement is preferably suchthat slight vertical adjustment is permitted between the bracket 82 andthe wall 84. A screw 85 extending through an opening in the horizontalarm of the bracket 82 has threaded engagement with an opening in thecloth plate 67. To avoid metal to metal contact between the screw 85 andthe bracket 82 a sleeve 86 formed of rubber or other vibration absorbingmaterial, of the character indicated above, is provided. This preferablyhas flange portions extending over the edges of the opening in thebracket member. A washer 87 may be provided between the head of thescrew 85 and the lower face of the sleeve 86.

At the right end of the cloth plate there is formed integrallytherewith, or otherwise secured thereto, a strap member 88 presenting ashelf 89 some distance below the main part of the cloth plate. Avibration absorbing member 90, formed of rubber or other vibrationabsorbing material of the type mentioned, is secured to the shelf 89 bya screw 91 the head of which is countersunk in the member 90 so as toeliminate danger of contact with any'part of the frame. A washer 92 maybe interposed between the member 90 and the shelf 89. By the selectionof a washer of appropriate thickness the top of the member 90 may belocated at the proper level to position the throat plate correctly aswill appear hereinafter. Flattened faces 93 are provided on the upperportion of the member 90 for cooperation with the side surfaces of arecess or channel 94 provided in the under face of a projection 95 atthe left end of the frame.

The arrangement is such that the projection 9S rests upon i thevibration absorbing member 90 and through the latter is supported by theshelf 89. Thus, it will be seen that the cloth plate and the frame ofthe machine are interconnected at three points by means capable ofabsorbing and eliminating the transmission of vibrations from the frameto the cloth plate. The machine as a whole is carried by the tablethrough the direct engagement of the left end of the cloth plate withthe shelf portions 68 and through the support of the right end of theframe by the shelf portions 69 through the vibration absorbing members75. The arrangement is such that the mass of the table is added to thatof the cloth plate in resisting vibrations. This makes it possible toemploy vibration absorbing elements in the connections between the frameand cloth plate, at the various points indicated, which are relativelyrigid, since quite substantial vibrational forces must be transmittedfrom the frame to set-up joint vibration of the cloth plate and table.

Referring particularly to Fig. 7, it will be noted that the frame of themachine is so formed that the various surfaces 96 at the top of the baseportion of the frame, which are directly beneath the cloth plate, areall in the same plane. This facilitates machining of the base of theframe. If the base is formed separately from the vertical standard, asshown in Fig. 9, the at surface indi-y cated at 96a is extended beneaththe standard, so that the entire upper surface of the base may bereadily machined. It should be noted in connection with Fig. 9 that whenthis form of frame is employed, the vibration absorbing elements 75 arepositioned somewhat lower than in the Fig. 7 embodiment. This is topermit the mounting of the vibration absorbing means on the base of theframe without having the screws 76 project into any part of the separatestandard. When this arrangement is employed the recesses in the tabletop into which the elements 75 are inserted are correspondingly deeper,and the shelf members 69 are lower, so as to permit the top of the clothplate to be positioned substantially flush with the top of the table.Returning to Fig. 7, a horseshoe shaped i so or C-shaped member 97 isapplied to the top of the base of the frame in the region of the throatplate, this member having a pair of laterally extending ears 98 whichpreferably it into corresponding recesses in the top surface of theframe and are secured to the latter by screws 99. Throat plate 100 (Fig.6), having suitable slots or openings 101 for the passage of the feeddog and needle, is secured to the member 97 by means of screws 102 whichcooperate with threaded openings 103 in member 97. Member 97 may be madeavailable in different thicknesses so that one of appropriate thicknessmay be selected to insure location of the top of the throat plate 100 inthe plane of the upper surface of the cloth plate 67. A slide plate 104is slidably mounted on ways 106 (Fig. 8) formed at the edges of a Cutaway portion at the left end of the cloth plate. Upon removal or outwardmovement of the plate 104 access is provided to the bobbin case of therotary hook for the replacement of an empty bobbin by a filled one.

Provision is made for lubrication of the various operating parts. Thus,as shown in Fig. l, a reservoir 107 is provided in thebase of the framebeneath the vertical standard. A bottom plate 108 having a suitablegasket serves to close the bottom of this reservoir but, on removal,permits access to the latter for cleaning and inspection. Belt 19 is ofan oil resistant type and is adapted to pass through the oil in thereservoir and assist in distributing the lubricant by creating a mistwithin the vertical standard. Some of the lubricant from the -rnist iscollected by a member 109 which serves to direct a portion of it into anaxial bore through the drive shaft 21 for the lubrication of variousbearings for this shaft and certain parts driven by it. A smallreservoir 110, closed by a removable bottom plate 111, serves to retainlubricant for the pinion 37 and gear 38 through which the rotary hook isdriven. Lubricant of a highly refined character, suitable forlubrication of the hook raceway, is delivered to the latter from anauxiliary reservoir 112. The latter has a projection 113 extending intothe inner bearing for the hook shaft and serves to supply lubricant toan axial bore in the latter, in the manner disclosed in the patent toAttwood No. 2,395,653, granted February 26, 1946. For retaining theopposite end of the reservoir 112 a screw 114 is provided, this havingthreaded engagement with the top wall of the reservoir. Vibrationabsorbing gaskets 115 and 116, formed of rubber or the like, areprovided at the upper and under surfaces of the cloth plate to preventmetal to metal contact between the cloth plate and the reservoir or thescrew 114. The danger of transmitting vibrations from the machine frameto the cloth plate is thus eliminated at this point. A gage plug 117,preferably formed of Lucite, serves to indicate the level of thelubricant within the reservoir 112 in the manner disclosed in the patentto Sauer No. 2,301,460, granted November l0, 1942. This plug has aslight clearance in relation to the wall of an opening through the clothplate to prevent the transmission of vibrations at this point.

The adaptor member 97 (Fig. 7), in addition to the function abovedescribed of locating the throat plate at the proper level in relationto the cloth plate, serves as a shield or guard around the openingsthrough the throat plate to prevent the discharge of lubricant from themist beneath the cloth plate on to the stitching threads or the workbeing stitched. Its projection above the surface 96 of the frame intoengagement with the underface of the throat plate provides this addedfunction.

In Figs. l0 and ll there is shown a modified form of cloth plate andconnection between the cloth plate and the main frame of the machine.The modified machine is provided with a cloth plate 118 which at itsleft end (not shown) is of the same form as that illustrated in Fig. 8.At that end it is supported directly by the shelf members 68 of thetable top and it, in turn, supports the left end of the base of theframe through the engagement of the extension 95 of the latter with thevibration isolating member 90. At the right end, however, the clothplate is of dierent construction from that shown in Fig. 8. It extendscompletely to the right end of the machine where it is provided with adownwardly extending flange 11351 arranged to rest directly uponl theshelf members 69 of the table. An enlarged opening through the clothplate is arranged to receive a downward extension 119:1 of the verticalstandard 119 of the machine frame. This frame is split along the lineformed by the lower edge of extension 119a so that the top of a baseportion 123 of the frame may be machined at in a single plane. Suitablebolts or screws mounted in openings 123 in inwardly extending bosses atthe bottom of the extension 119:1 of the vertical standard, andcorresponding bosses provided on the base 120, serve to couple theseparts of the frame together. lnterposed between a shoulder 119b at thebottom of the vertical standard and the top of the cloth plate 118 is avibration absorbing member 121, which may suitably be formed of a stripof rubber or other vibration absorbing material, surrounding theprojection 119a. Member 121 has a downwardly extending rib 122 whichcooperates with the edge of the opening through the cloth plate. Thisarrangement is such that vibrations developed in the frame of themachine will be absorbed by the member 121 and will not be imparted tothe cloth plate. As indicated above, the member 121 though formed ofyielding and resilient material may be relatively firm and capable ofsupporting the load of the adjacent portion of the fratrie, since themass of the table is added to that of the cloth plate in resistingvibrations.

Referring now to Figs. l2 and 13, there is shown a modified form ofconnection between the base of the frame and the cloth plate at the leftend of the machine. This is in lieu of the projection 95 and shelf S9with its vibration absorbing element 90. As shown, the base 124 of theframe is connected with the cloth plate 125 through a round steel rod126. One end of the latter is firmly secured in a wall 127 of the frameand its opposite end is slidably received by an opening in a downwardlyextending lug 128 secured to the cloth plate. A cantilever etfect isthus provided. This arrangement permits free vibration of the base ofthe frame both horizontally and vertically but due to the exing andresilience of the rod 126 the vibrations are not imparted to the clothplate. They are absorbed by the steel rod in much the same manner as thevibrations are absorbed by the element 90 of Fig. 8. Adequate clearanceis provided between the top surface of the base and the under surface ofthe cloth plate to permit these vibrations. A clearance of about 1/16 ofan inch has been found adequate with a spring rod of sufficient lengthand resistance to flexure. As in the first embodiment described, thecloth plate rests directly upon the shelf members at the corners of theopening in the table and the base of the frame is of such dimension thatit will at no time come in contact with the table. This modifiedarrangement at the left end of the machine may be used either inconnection with the first embodiment described or in connection withthat illustrated in Figs. l and 1l.

It will be noted that the machine constructed and mounted in accordancewith the invention serves to reduce substantially, if not completelyeliminate, the three major causes of noise. Vibrations normallytransmitted to the cloth plate are largely absorbed so that little or novibration of the cloth plate takes place. The vibrations normallyproduced in the upper rotary shaft are eliminated or damped by thespecial bearing construction adjacent the needle head which permits asmaller clearance to be provided around the shaft and tends to absorbvibrations. A similar bearing may, if desired, be provided in the regionof the vertical standard. The belt connection between the upper andlower shafts is substantially noiseless. Other forms of connection whicheliminate play and back lash may serve substantially the same purpose.Thus a set of fiber gears properly formed and wcll lubricated may bemade to produce the desired result.

While a preferred form of the invention and various modifications havebeen described in considerable detail, it will be understood thatvarious further changes may be made in the construction and arrangementof the several parts without departing from the principles and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims. Other noise andvibration eliminating or absorbing expedients may be employed inaddition to or in lieu of certain of those hereinabove described.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidcloth plate being in direct engagement with said table, and yieldablevibration absorbing connections between said cloth plate and said frame,said frrlne being held out of direct engagement with said ta e.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidcloth plate being in direct engagement with said table, yieldablevibration absorbing connections between said cloth plate and said frame,and yieldable vibration absorbing means between said table and a portionof said frame for supporting the latter.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidcloth plate being in direct engagement with said table and beingdirectly supported at least in part thereby, and yieldable vibrationabsorbing connections between said cloth plate and said frame, saidconnections being arranged to support said frame at least in part.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, oneend of said cloth plate being in drect engagement with said table andbeing directly supported thereby, yieldable vibration absorbing means between said table and the opposite end of said frame for supporting thelatter from said table, and yieldable vibration absorbing connectionsbetween said cloth plate and said frame.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, oneend of said cloth plate being in direct engagement with said table andbeing directly supported thereby, yieldable vibration absorbing meansbetween said table and the opposite end of said frame for supporting thelatter from said table, and yieldable vibration absorbing connectionsbetween said cloth plate and said frame adjacent the opposite ends ofsaid cloth plate. 6. Apparatus of the class described comprising asewing machine and a table for supporting the same, said machine havinga main frame, stitch forming and work feeding devices and means foroperating said devices carried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged tosupport work as it is fed by said work feeding devices past said stitchforming devices, said cloth plate being in direct engagement with saidtable and being directly supported at least in part thereby, andyieldable vibration absorbing connections between said cloth plate andsaid frame, said connections being arranged to support said frame atleast in part, said table having an opening in which said cloth plate isfitted and through which a portion of said frame extends, said clothplate extending beyond the edges of said frame and serving to retainsaid frame out of engagement with the walls of said opening.

7. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidtable having a top provided with an opening arranged to receive saidcloth plate and through which a portion of said frame extends below saidcloth plate, said table top having shelf-like extensions within saidopening for supporting said machine, said cloth plate having at leastone end thereof in direct engagement with said extensions, and yieldablevibration absorbing connections between said cloth plate and said frame.

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frarzze,stitch forming and work feeding devices and means for operating saiddevices carried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work asit is fed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices,said table having a top provided with an opening arranged to receivesaid cloth plate and through which a portion of said frame extends belowsaid cloth plate, said table top having shelf-like extensions withinsaid opening for supporting said machine, said cloth plate being indirect engagement with said extensions and being supported at both endsthereby, and yieldable vibration absorbing connections between saidcloth plate and said frame for supporting the latter from said clothplate.

9. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidtable having a top provided with an opening arranged to receive saidcloth plate and through which a portion of said frame extends below saidcloth plate, said table top having shelf-like extensions within saidopening for supporting said machine, said cloth plate having one endthereof in direct engagement with a portion of said extensions,yieldable vibration absorbing means secured to said frame at pointsremote from said end of the cloth plate, said vibration absorbing meansbeing engaged with another portion of said extensions for supportingsaid frame, and yieldable vibration absorbing connections between saidcloth plate and said frame.

l0. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidtable having a top provided with an opening arranged to receive saidcloth plate and through which a portion of said frame extends below saidcloth plate, said table top having shelf-like extensions within saidopening for supporting said machine, said cloth plate having at leastone end thereof in direct engagement with said extensions, and yieldablevibration absorbing connections between said cloth plate and said frame,said connections including a resilient rod connected adjacent one endthereof with said cloth plate and adjacent the other end thereof withsaid frame, said rod being free intermediate its ends to enable exingthereof.

1l. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidtable having a top provided with an opening arranged to receive saidcloth plate and through which a portion of said frame extends below saidcloth plate, said table top having shelf-like extensions within saidopening for supporting said machine, said cloth plate having one endthereof in direct engagement with a portion of said extensions,yieldable vibration absorbing means secured to said frame at pointsremote from said end of the cloth plate, said vibration absorbing meansbeing engaged with another portion of said extensions for supportingsaid frame, hinge members carried by said table top, complementary hingemembers carried by said cloth plate and said frame for cooperation withsaid first mentioned hinge members to enable said machine to be tiltedbackwardly on said table top, said frame being normally so supported asto maintain its hinge member out of contact with the related hingemember on said table top, and yieldable vibration absorbing connectionsbetween said cloth plate and said frame.

12. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arragiged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidtable having a top provided with an opening arranged to receive saidcloth plate and through which a portion of said frame extends below saidcloth plate, said table top having shelf-like extensions within saidopening for supporting said machine, said cloth plate having at leastone end thereof in direct engagement with said extensions, said clothplate having only a small clearance in relation to the wall of theopening in said table top and said frame having a greater clearance inrelation to the wall of said opening, and yieldable vibration absorbingconnections between said cloth plate and said frame.

13. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidtable having a top provided with an opening arranged to receive saidcloth plate and through which a portion of said frame extends below saidcloth plate, said table top having shelf-like extensions within saidopening for supporting said machine, said cloth plate having at leastone end thereof in direct engagement with said extensions, said clothplate having only a small clearance in relation to the wall of theopening in said table top, said clearance increasing gradually towardone end of one of the longitudinal edges of said cloth plate, and saidframe having a greater clearance in relation to the wall of said openingthan the maximum clearance between said cloth plate and said opening,and yieldable vibration absorbing connections between said cloth plateand said frame.

14. Apparatus of the class described comprising a sewing machine and atable for supporting the same, said machine having a main frame, stitchforming and work feeding devices and means for operating said devicescarried by said frame, a cloth plate arranged to support work as it isfed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices, saidtable having a top provided with an opening arranged to receive saidcloth plate and through which a portion of said frame extends below saidcloth plate, said table top having shelf-like extensions within saidopening for supporting said machine, said cloth plate having at leastone end thereof in direct engagement with said extensions, said clothplate having only a small clearance in relation to the wall of theopening in said table top, the forward edge of said cloth plate beingtapered inwardly slightly at the left end thereof to provide a graduallyincreasing clearance in relation to said opening, and said frame havinga greater clearance in relation to the wall of said opening than themaximum clearance between said cloth plate and said opening, andyieldable vibration absorbing connections between said cloth plate andsaid frame.

15. A sewing machine having a frame with a base, a Vertical standard andan overhanging arm carrying a needle head, stitch forming and workfeeding devices carried by said frame, said devices including areciprocable needle bar, means for operating said devices including arotary shaft extending longitudinally of said arm into said needle head,connections in said head from said shaft to said needle bar forreciprocating the latter, a flexible, vibration dampening bearing forsaid shaft adjacent said needle head, said bearing comprising a sleevearranged to flex at its end adjacent said needle bar, a cloth platearranged to support Work as it is fed by said work feeding devices pastsaid stitch forming devices, a throat plate carried by said cloth plateand arranged to accommodate a needle, and means connecting said clothplate with said frame, said connecting means including vibrationabsorbing means arranged to eliminate substantially the transmission ofvibrations from said frame to said cloth plate.

16. A sewing machine having a frame with a base, a vertical standard andan overhanging arm carrying a needle head, stitch forming and Workfeeding devices carried by said frame, means for operating said devicesincluding a rotary shaft extending longitudinally of said arm, aflexible, vibration dampening bearing for said shaft adjacent saidneedle head, said bearing comprising a sleeve having a tight it adjacentone end thereof in said frame and being free to ex in relation to saidframe adjacent its other end, said sleeve having a close bearing fit inrelation to said shaft at said other end and having a substantialclearance in relation to said shaft at said one end, a cloth platearranged to support work as it is fed by said work feeding devices pastsaid stitch forming devices, and means connecting said cloth plate withsaid frame, said connecting means including vibration absorbing meansarranged to eliminate substantially the transmission of vibrations fromsaid frame to said cloth plate.

17. A sewing machine having a frame with a base, a vertical standard andan overhanging arm carrying a needle head, stitch forming and workfeeding devices carried by said frame, means for operating said devicesincluding a plurality of rotary shafts extending longitudinally of saidarm and said base, respectively, noiseless connections between saidshafts positioned within said vertical standard, a exible, vibrationdampening bearing for said shaft adjacent said needle head, said bearingcomprising a sleeve having a tight t adjacent one end thereof in saidframe and being free to iiex in relation to said frame adjacent itsother end, said sleeve having a close bearing t in relation to saidshaft at said other end and having a substantial clearance in relationto said shaft at said one end, a cloth plate arranged to support work asit is fed by said work feeding devices past said stitch forming devices,a throat plate carried by said cloth plate and arranged to accommodate aneedle, and means connecting said cloth plate with said frame, saidconnecting means including vibration absorbing means arranged toeliminate substantially the transmission of vibrations from said frameto said cloth plate.

18. A sewing machine having a frame with a base, a vertical standard andan overhanging arm carrying a needle head, stitch forming and workfeeding devices carried by said frame, means for operating said devicesincluding a plurality of rotary shafts extending longitudinally of saidarm and said base, respectively, a positive drive belt extending throughsaid vertical standard serving to connect said shafts for operation inunison, a tiexible, vibration dampening bearing for said shaft adjacentsaid needle head, said bearing comprising a sleeve having a tight tadjacent one end thereof in said frame and being free to ex in relationto said frame adjacent its other end, said sleeve having a close bearingfit in relation to said shaft at said other end and having a substantialclearance in relation to said shaft at said one end, a cloth platearranged to support work as it is fed by said work feeding devices pastsaid stitch forming devices, a throat plate carried by said cloth plateand arranged to accommodate a needle, and means connecting said clothplate with said frame, said connecting means including vibrationabsorbing means arranged to eliminate substantially the transmission ofvibrations from said frame to said cloth plate.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,305,343 Gadbois Dec. 15, 1942 2,325,928 Zeier Aug. 3, 19432,484,793 Nissen Oct. 11, 1949 2,500,731 Zeier Mar. 14, 1950

